Steamed Pandan Coconut Buns

These steamed pandan coconut buns recipe is a fusion of Malaysian pandan coconut flavour and Chinese steamed buns. Likewise, I am using a combination of my own mix of naturally gluten free flour. Including rice flour, potato starch, tapioca flour, corn starch for my buns dough. Plus added sunflower kennels and linseeds. Then combined with the intensely aromatic flavour of pandan juice for the buns. As well as stuffing the pandan buns with shredded coconut fillings sweetened with coconut sugar. This steamed pandan coconut buns recipe is not only gluten free. It is also vegan, dairy free, nut free, egg free, soy free and refined sugar free. With no artificial colours added and allergy friendly.

When you are on a gluten free diet, naturally you will miss out on many popular desserts and baked goods. But most of all buns or baos in Chinese. Dim sum baos is no doubt one of my favourites that I miss so dearly. Besides, we use the combination of pandan (screwpine) leaves and coconut that really complements each other. Likewise, using this pairing of flavours and making them into a bun, the result is simple and irresistibly tasting buns. The inspiration for my gluten free recipe is from the famous Malaysian pandan coconut crepes (Kuih Dadar).

What is Pandan?

Pandan (Pandanus amaryllifolius), also called screwpine. Besides, farmers cultivate this typeof plant mainly in the hot and humid regions of Asia. Likewise, pandan leaves have a fragrant aroma with a distinctive and sweet tasting nutty flavour. In addition, pandan leaves are narrow long, bright green in colour and pointed at the top end. Besides, they use pandan to enrich both sweet and savoury desserts, drinks, baked goods and savoury dishes. Moreover, many often refer pandan as “Asian vanilla” or “vanilla of the east”. Moreover, they use pandan for culinary purposes as well as for medicinal purposes.

Nonetheless, they interweave pandan leaves into a basket for cooking rice. In addition Pandan leaves inherently complement rice, glutinous rice, coconut, lemongrass, brown sugar, herbs and spices. Some popular Southeast Asian dishes the use pandan leaves for fragrance are rice dishes like Nasi Lemak and pandan chicken. Also in desserts like kaya jam buns (coconut jam buns), pandan chiffon cake, Vegan Pandan Coconut Cupcakes and buns.

Nutritional Values and Health Benefit of Pandan Leaves

Pandan leaves contain vital nutrients and essential oils like tannins, glycosides, alkaloids, polyphenolic acids, saponin and pigment. Furthermore, these polyphenolic substances have anti-bacteria, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, in traditional medicine, they use pandan leaves to relief pain, treat arthritis, lower fever and reduce headache. And also as a remedy for stomach cramps. Other health benefits include: remedies for smallpox and wounds; mild laxative for children. As well as helping to lower high blood pressure and promote healthy appetite and treat muscle pain.

Steamed Pandan Coconut Buns

These aromatic steamed pandan coconut buns recipe is a fusion of Malaysian pandan coconut flavour and Chinese steamed buns.

5 from 6 votes

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Course: Breakfast, Buns, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: Chinese

Diet: Gluten Free

Keyword: Baozi, Dairy Free, Dim Sum, Egg Free, Gluten Free Bao Buns, Gluten Free Dim Sum, Gluten Free Dim Sum Dessert, Gluten Free Dim Sum Recipe, Nut Free, Pandan, Soy Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 1 hour hour

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 23 buns

Calories: 184.07kcal

Author: Daphne Goh

Ingredients

Metric – US Customary

• Some gluten free flour for dusting work surface

For the dough:

Dry Ingredients:

• 350 g rice flour
• 150 g potato starch
• 100 g corn starch
• 75 g tapioca starch
• 1 tablespoon linseeds
• 2 tablespoons sunflower kennels
• 2 teaspoons dry instant yeast
• 2 teaspoons gluten free baking powder
• ¾ teaspoon xantham gum
• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons agave syrup
• 50 ml rice milk

For the Pandan Juice [2 cups (500ml)]

• 12 fresh or frozen pandan leaves wash thoroughly and cut into roughly 1 inch lengthwise
• 550 ml water

For the Coconut Filling:

• 100 g shredded coconut
• 80 g coconut sugar
• 80 ml rice milk

Instructions

For the pandan juice:

• Add the cut pandan leaves and water to a NutriBullet or food processor, pulverise until you get a thick puree paste. Strain through a fine sieve, using a tablespoon to press on the pandan paste to release more juice. You need 2 cups (500ml) of pandan juice.

For the dough:

• In a large bowl, combine and whisk together all the dry ingredients. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture.
• Add into the well all the wet ingredients and 2 cups (500ml) pandan juice and mix and combine well with a spatula.
• Then use your hands to knead the dough in the large bowl until you have a smooth dough that resembles creamy ice cream.
• Cover the dough with cling wrap and let the dough rest on the benchtop for 1 hour.

For the filling:

• Combine and mix well all the ingredients for the coconut filling in a non-stick frying pan on medium to low heat until the coconut sugar has melted and the rice milk has been absorbed by the coconut. Stirring frequently.
• Remove the frying pan from heat and let the coconut filling cool down to room temperature.

For stuffing the dough:

• Dust the work surface and rolling pin with some gluten free flour.
• Divide the dough equally into 23 large balls around 50g (1.8oz) each. Repeat until all the dough are finished.
• Flatten each ball into a disc or patty. Roll out each dough, turning it as you roll, to form a 2½ inch round dough with the middle thicker than the sides.
• Add ½ tablespoon of coconut fillings into the centre of the dough.
• Wrap and pinch the dough together. Seal the edges and gently shape into a smooth ball.

For cooking the bun:

• Arrange each dough onto a piece of baking/parchment paper.
• Heat up a wok with a steaming rack with some water and place the bamboo steamer on top of the steaming rack. Steam the buns for 15 minutes on high heat in batches. Ensure that there is sufficient water in the wok for the whole steaming process. Repeat until all the buns are cooked. You can use any type of steamer.
• Remove and place the cooked buns on a cooling rack. Best serve warm.
• You can also store the buns in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat by steaming on high heat for 5 minutes or in microwave for 40 seconds or until buns are soft.

Recommended Products

NutriBullet 900W Alternative to Food Processor

Food Processor Alternative to NutriBullet

Fine Sieve

Glass Mixing Bowl

Non-Stick Frying Pan 12 Inch

Rolling Pin Wood

Parchment Baking Paper cut into 2 inch square pieces

Wok No Lid

Steam Rack 3 pcs

Bamboo Steamer 10 Inch

Notes

Fresh or frozen pandan (screwpine) leaves, rice flour, tapioca flour and potato starch can be purchased from Asian Groceries Stores.

Nutrition Facts

Steamed Pandan Coconut Buns

Serving Size

 

1 bun

Amount per Serving

Calories

184.07

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

5.04

g

8

%

Saturated Fat

 

1.84

g

12

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

0.68

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

2.19

g

Sodium

 

111.27

mg

5

%

Potassium

 

113.17

mg

3

%

Carbohydrates

 

32.89

g

11

%

Fiber

 

1.55

g

6

%

Sugar

 

7.13

g

8

%

Protein

 

2.21

g

4

%

Vitamin A

 

0.44

IU

0

%

Vitamin C

 

0.61

mg

1

%

Calcium

 

31.15

mg

3

%

Iron

 

0.45

mg

3

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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